OSWEGO -- The state's investigation into the Oswego Fire Department's Ambulance Corps has resulted in punitive measures. The State Health Department confirms exclusively to CNYcentral that the Regional Emergency Medical Advisory Committee, or REMAC has suspended the certifications of two Oswego firefighters. One is an Emergency Medical Technician qualified to handle “critical care” patients. The other is a Paramedic.
As we've been reporting since the beginning of the year, the state is looking into four separate recent incidents in which the ambulance corps allegedly refused to transport patients to hospitals in apparent violation of Public Health law. There are two agencies investigating these incidents: REMAC, which controls the certifications of emergency medical providers; and the State Health Department, which is conducting a broader overview of the Oswego Fire Department.
Health Department Spokesman Jeffrey Hammond not only confirmed the license suspensions of the two firefighters, he also stated that "REMAC will share their findings with the (Health) Department as part of their review... and the department will consider further action" against the Fire Department.
Reached by phone Tuesday afternoon, Oswego Mayor Randy Bateman said he did not know of the license suspensions ordered by the state. Bateman said he does not even know who the two individuals are. Bateman added, "This is serious... but in this process they're guilty until proven innocent." The Mayor said the "integrity of the Fire Department is intact. Just because two people have issues out of 66 doesn't impede the integrity of the Fire Department."
